Moist hide use

[cwheeler]

Hi All,

Happy new year to everyone firstly. Now to the question I have regarding moist hide usage. I have moist hides for all my girls in exactly the same spot, 1/3 over the heat pad and the rest not. However I can't get the girls with the toe shed issues to use their moist hides. (that I am aware of, I don't stand next to the tank with a small flashlight to check on them at all hours) My question is how to make the hides more appealing to the girls? Stay one night get another free, continental breakfasts? But seriously, any tricks/tips/or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers!

 

[scm133]

What substrate is in your humid hide? I used paper towels for awhile, but when I switched to moss, they were all in it. Knock on wood...no shed problems.

 

[cwheeler]

I'm a paper towel guy for a couple of reasons. First, I've heard bad stories about finding sharp objects in the moss. Then I've heard stories about the leopards eating the moss and becoming impacted.

That being said, I'm not against a change.

 

[Dimidiata]

I just did this yesterday, i switched to cocofiber and BAM! rango has been in there for a while now(he is having shed issues) papper towel just drys too quickly, the fiber and moss make a soft spongy bed that i think they like.

 

[cwheeler]

Cocofiber. I haven't heard any horror stories about cocofiber. My other issue is that I've got a few leopard to provide moist hide substrate for. Can anyone recommend a bulk seller for the moss or the cocofiber?

 

[katie_]

I use coconut fibre, and moss.
I have heard of geckos eating moss and becoming impacted, but my feelings on it are that they probably come across things in the wild similar to dirt and moss.
Unless you feed them in the cup and they accidently ingest it with a meal, they would have to eat in on purpose would they not? And if theyre eating it on purpose...well...you cant protect them forever. Could they not eat the paper towel?

 

[Dimidiata]

Coco fiber is bulk. You get it at a plant shop or petstore in a small brick, that expands HUGE when it gets wet, just chip off pieces, hydrat them and spread them in the hides. Not to mention its super cheap.

 

[brillobee]

I prefer moss, but two of my geckos do eat it on purpose. Thankfully they
managed to vomit and poop it all out. Now for them I use sponge and paper towels. They all
Use their hides no matter what I put in there.

 

[RampantReptiles]

1 brick of coconut fiber will be more than enough for your geckos hides unless you have like 50 geckos. I bought a 3 pack of coconut fiber, its been over 3 years and I am still trying to use it up!

 

[gothra]

You don't need to change out the coir too often, just let it dry off completely before re-wetting it. As long as the gecko doesn't poop in it, it can be there for a looooong time. As with encouraging the gecko to use the humid hide, well, some geckos just doesn't like it. I have a couple that never enters their humid hide; and I have a few that sleeps in there everyday. If she has toe shedding issues, just check on her more often and help her remove the fresh retained shed. Shouldn't be too difficult if the shed is fresh.

 

[Fencer04]

I second the cocofiber, I used moss for a while with no issues but I prefer the cocofiber for layboxes so why not just use it for everything.

Also, make sure that the hide isn't too big. For a while I was using a rather large tupperware for my hatchlings and they preferred to use something that wasn't clear and was a little smaller. I guess that is what they needed to feel secure and hidden.